Stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy. 16 years ago, I stepped out of mine when I moved from Vietnam to the United States. Every day since then has been a journey of learning, growing, and finding my own path — through school, through the transition after graduation, and into building my life as a young adult with a disability.

I'm sharing my story not because I think everyone should follow my exact path, but because I believe in the power of sharing our experiences with each other. When I was younger, I often wished I could hear from others who understood what it was like to navigate both a new country and a disability. Every person's journey is unique, especially when it comes to planning for our futures and the services we need.

This blog is my way of adding my voice to the conversation. I want to share my perspective on school, advocacy, and finding employment — not to tell you what you should do, but to show you what was possible for me. Maybe parts of my story will resonate with your own experience, or maybe they'll help you think about your journey in a new way.

What matters most is that you find the path that works best for you. My story is just one example of many possible ways forward.

Before I share more details about my journey, I want to share a poem I wrote during high school. Writing has always been a way for me to express myself clearly, especially when verbal communication and being bilingual feels challenging. As someone with a disability, I've found that putting my thoughts into words on paper helps me process my experiences and connect with others. This poem captures who I was then — a young student finding my place in a new country while navigating school life. 

Who Am I 

I’m a daughter  

of food server 

I love math, I love school  

More than I love her 

I can, I help  

And I laugh 

I hate when people  

Make me mad 

Love children younger 3  

And younger than that  

Play with them 

And younger than that  

Play with them  

Are how much fun can be  

Play with younger  

Rather play with 3 

How much hate  

They put on me. 

It just me,  

It just me  

A student of  

Cleveland High 

It just me, 

It just Ky 

This poem captures who I was during those early years in America - a young person finding my way between two worlds, facing challenges but also discovering my strengths. While this part of my story shows the foundation of my journey, there's so much more to share. In the next two parts of this series, I'll take you through my experiences in high school and beyond - the struggles and victories that shaped me into the advocate I am today. My story doesn't end here; it's just the beginning. By the final part of this series, I'll share another poem that shows who I've become, completing the picture of my growth from that uncertain teenager to the confident self-advocate writing to you now. 

Thank you for taking this first step of my journey with me.